Identity Screening Regulations

What do travellers need to do to prepare?

Bring valid, government-issued identification (ID) with you to the airport!

New Identity Screening Regulations require all passengers planning to travel on Canadian domestic flights, who appear to be 12 years of age or older, to present the following ID before boarding:

     1) One piece of valid government-issued PHOTO ID that shows name, date of birth, and gender
OR
     2) Two pieces of valid government-issued ID (without a photo), one of which shows name, date of birth, and gender
AND
     3) The name on the identification must match the name on the boarding pass.

All rules for flights to the United States and other international travel continue to apply. The verification of passengers' ID is already a practice followed by most major air carriers in Canada.

What type of ID meets the new requirements?

For implementation of the Passenger Protect Program, the Identity Screening Regulations require either:

• one piece of valid government-issued photo ID that shows name, date of birth and gender; or
• two pieces of valid government-issued ID, at least one of which shows name, date of birth and gender.

The following pieces of valid government-issued ID may be counted toward the requirements of the Identity Screening Regulations:

• Passport
• Citizenship card
• Permanent Resident card
• Driver's licence
• Health card
• Provincial/Territorial Government Identification Cards (GIC)
• Birth certificate
  
• Record of Landing Form / Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292)
• Immigration documents issued to foreign nationals (Work Permit, Study Permit, Visitor Record, Temporary Resident Permit, Refugee Approved Status)
• Canadian military ID
• Federal police ID
• Federal, Provincial, and Municipal government employee ID
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) card
• Old Age Security (OAS) Identification Card

Many young Canadians do not have ID that complies with the new requirements. Are there any special provisions for travellers under 18?

Until September 18, 2007, Canadian air passengers who appear to be between 12 and 17 years of age will be required to present only one piece of government-issued ID without photo.

Permitting travellers under 18 years of age to fly with only one piece of ID allows families to maintain their travel plans over the summer, as they become aware of the full requirements of the Passenger Protect Program that will be in place in September.

 

For further details, please contact your local Travel CUTS agent (1-888-246-9762)
or visit the Government of Canada's Passenger Protect website.